Title: Structural assessment of van trailer floor systems with aluminium frame and wood decking

Authors: Minghao Li, Frank Lam, George Lee

Addresses: Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada. ' Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada. ' Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada

Abstract: This paper studies the structural performance of two trailer floor systems with identical aluminium frames but different wood decking materials (solid hardwood planks and wood composite panels) when the floor systems are subjected to the forklift wheel loads. Finite element models were developed to simulate the floor response and full-scale static and cyclic loading tests were conducted. To improve the performance of the floor system with wood composite decking, modification of floor configuration was attempted and finite element modelling results predicted higher floor stiffness and load-carrying capacity.

Keywords: trailer floor systems; finite element modelling; FEM; structural testing; load-carrying capacity; forklift wheel loads; aluminium frame; hardwood decking; wood composite panels; heavy vehicles; simulation; floor stiffness.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2007.013262

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2007 Vol.14 No.2, pp.213 - 226

Published online: 14 Apr 2007 *

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